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Matt Milroy's status with the major league team that drafted him last month hasn't changed. The Illinois baseball recruit remains, in the parlance of the sport, a "draft-and-follow" prospect for the Boston Red Sox.

"I talk to the (Red Sox's) Midwest crosschecker every time I pitch," Milroy said Tuesday, referring to scout Chris Mears. "He said they're going to watch me pitch over the summer and decide toward the end (whether to offer a contract)."

The Red Sox selected the right-hander from Aurora Marmion Academy in the 35th round of the First-Year Player Draft on June 11. All MLB teams face an Aug. 17 deadline to sign their 2009 draftees.

Milroy is playing in the Chicago Suburban Baseball League this summer, starting in center field for the Vee Pak Hawks when he isn't on the mound.

The Batavia native has fared well at the plate. Through the Hawks' first 20 games, he ranked eighth in the league in batting average (.325) and 13th in on-base percentage (.404). Milroy also was among the league's top three threats on the bases, recording seven steals in eight attempts.

However, he initially struggled on the mound due to major control problems. In his first three pitching appearances, Milroy walked 15 batters in 6 1/3 innings. He had a 0-1 record with a 7.11 ERA in that span. No updated statistics have since been posted on the CSBL's Web site

"My first few innings were pretty rough," said Milroy, who is among the youngest players in a league comprised primarily of current and former college players. "I was still getting used to the league and trying to make the jump (from) high school ball."

When he does have command of his pitches, Milroy has been tough to hit. In his first 6 1/3 innings, he allowed four hits – none for extra bases – while striking out six.

Milroy said his control has improved in his last three appearances, including a six-inning outing last weekend in which he was "a little wild" in one frame.

"Lately I've started to settle down," Milroy said. "My last 12 innings have been really, really good."

Milroy said he's hasn't been preoccupied with the uncertainty of Red Sox plans for him.

"It's not that big of a deal for the wait," he said. "Me and my parents are pretty much prepared to go to college, and that's what the focus is on now. ... If I don't sign, it's not like I don't have anything to fall back on. I'm still going to a Big Ten school to play baseball. I've got it pretty good either way."

If the Red Sox decide to make an offer, Milroy said he would not consider any signing bonus under six figures.

"It would have to be pretty significant – lower to mid-$100,000," he said. "It would have to be that way because my scholarship is so important. To sign, it would have to outweigh that."